NI1: Past simple or present perfect?

Click here to do an exercise on past simple and present perfect tenses.

Tips and ideas on the best ways to learn English faster

How To Learn English

1. You are like a new baby
Babies learn their language slowly.
First they learn to listen.
Then they learn to talk.
Finally, they can read and write.

2. Listen to English every day
Listen to English radio.
Watch English TV.
Go to English movies.
Use online lessons.

3. Make an English/ESL (English as a Second Language) friend
Make up conversations.
Practise dialogues.
Use beginner textbooks.

4. Read English stories
Start with children's storybooks.
Try ESL readers.
Read advertisements, signs and labels.
Try EnglishClub.com for Young Learners.

5. Write down new words
Start a vocabulary (new word) notebook.
Write words in alphabetical order (A...B...C...).
Make example sentences.
Always use an English-English dictionary first.

6. Keep an English diary
Start with one sentence.
How do you feel?
How is the weather?
What did you do today?
Write another sentence tomorrow.

7. Visit an English speaking country
Learn English more quickly.
Stay with an English family.
Hear native speakers talk.
Have a fun experience

NI1: Listening Dictations

This is a site for dictations, which I think are quite useful to practice the listening skills.
http://www.englishclub.com/listening/dictations-m-appointments.htm
The main page with the list of topics is here:
http://www.englishclub.com/listening/dictations-medium.htm

NB1: Listening DICTATIONS

Hi guys! I found a nice web site and I thought you may like it. It's about Dictations. The link below takes you to Short Dictations of Numbers and Letters:
http://www.englishclub.com/listening/dictations-s-numbers-letters.htm
You have to click A to listen at a normal speed, then click B and you liten at a slow speed, then write in C what you heard, click D to listen again and make corrections, and click E (Show) to check.
But also, for those of you who feel more confident, there are other topics for you to practice here:
http://www.englishclub.com/listening/dictations-short.htm

NI1, NB1: Interesting web sites

Hi guys!
I don't have time to check these links, but one of my ex-students suggested them, so could you check them out and see if they're worth it?
http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar
http://www.agendaweb.org
http://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/index.html

Another good site is
http://www.livemocha.com
here you improve your English by practicing with other foreign people, and in return you must show your language to those people.

NI1: Reading about 'Depeche Mode'

In the following link you'll find a text about the 1980's group, and some questions to answer:

http://www.saberingles.com.ar/reading/depeche-mode.html

And afterwards, you may like to enjoy their music, with 'Enjoy the silence'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyipPXE3Ijw

NB1: Listening Practice

Hi guys! I hope you enjoy this listening activity. Just scroll down, click on play and select the right option. Then press on 'Final score' to check... Nice week ahead!
http://www.esl-lab.com/family1/fam1.htm

NI1: Medieval helpdesk: an introduction to the book

Have a laugh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFAWR6hzZek

NB1: Reading Comprehension

Read the text and answer the questions about the English Language
http://www.saberingles.com.ar/reading/english.html

NI1: Listening Practice

Things always go wrong...
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omlisten2/advanced/unit01a.htm
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omlisten2/advanced/unit01b.htm
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omlisten2/advanced/unit01c.htm

NB1: Listening practice

Practice simple past of be and a couple more of verbs.
Click on play, roll down, and answer the "Assignment"
http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omlisten2/elementary/unit1.htm

NI1: TRAIN YOUR NORTH AMERICAN ACCENT "Online shopping"

This link will take you to a site in which you can listen to a specific. This example is North American accent. You can also select on the left the topic you'd like to listen to.
http://www.trainyouraccent.com/a-online-shopping.htm

NI1: PISTAS PARA LA 1ª TAREA DE EE

Para la primera tarea de EE, os resultará útil visitar la siguiente página, en la que viene claramente explicado el formato de una carta formal, por si alguien no lo tiene claro.

http://www.usingenglish.com/resources/letter-writing.html

Y aquí tenéis un ejemplo del lenguaje usado en una carta formal. Espero que no reproduzcais literalmente el contenido de esta carta en vuestras composiciones!!!

Example of Formal Letter - English Course Assignment - Letter to TVs Survivor Programme

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing with regard to your advertisement requesting of volunteers to take part in the next edition of your survivor programme, which I have been watching for the last three seasons.

I do not usually tend to fight for things I do not believe deeply in. This is why I am applying for this programme, because I truly think of myself as the kind of person you are looking for in order to give once again the programme the excitement and addiction it has achieved through the years. Since I have always travelled to the poorest areas of the planet where your security relies only on your own survival skills, I feel capable of adapting to the conditions set on your programme, even to the TV cameras. Although I am an adventurous person who will never be afraid of your risky games - at least none has scared me to the point that I would hesitate to participate in the reality show - I always avoid risking my groups security. It is always important to stop and think of your actions and evaluate the possible consequences, specially when, as in your programme, you are not alone and decisions must be taken for the whole group. Because I think this is not only a survivor programme but a situation where people have to learn to trust their group partners because those who isolate themselves tend to lose in the rivalry for survival. Being sociable is the strongest characteristic I have to be chosen from all the contestants.

Referring to the three things I would be allowed to take, I would like to take a family photograph which means much to me and gives me energy when depressed, a jack-knife because I think it may be quite useful for everyone in many cases and, finally, a pen and a diary in order to narrate everything that happens daily.

I am looking forward to hearing from you and am available for interview whenever you might request it.

Yours faithfully

Student Writer

NI1: TAREAS DE EXPRESIÓN ESCRITA Y ORAL

This is the list of written and spoken activities that I expect you to prepare in the next weeks:

EXPRESIÓN ESCRITA

16/02Your son/daughter wants to study in Oxford University. Visit http://www.ox.ac.uk/ and get information about the Admissions, Divisions, Colleges, etc. Write a letter to the Head of Studies of the Department he/she wants to enter, telling him about the qualities of your son/daughter ad why they should accept him/her.

9/03You want to rent one room in your house to a native speaker of English living in Murcia, so you can practice the language with him/her. Visit http://www.spareroom.co.uk/flatshare/flatshare-detail-flat-share/0/1616932/ and find examples of house adverts. Write an advert for your room.

30/03Design pamphlets to make people aware of the dangers of global warming. Visit http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/dangers.cfm and get information on the topic.

13/04Visit the following sites to find information on nursing homes.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nursinghomes.html (Explanation of what a nursing home is)

http://www.ucarewecare.com (Directory for nursing homes in the UK)

Then, write a letter to an English friend who is thinking of putting his/her elder father/mother into a nursing home. Add factual information as well as your opinion about the advantages and disadvantages of a couple of nursing homes of your choice.

4/05Write recommendations for 3 websites that you think your classmates should know, because you find them really useful and interesting. Visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/radio/specials/1212_how_to_instruct/page5.shtml to find useful language related to making recommendations.

EXPRESIÓN ORAL

2/03Give a presentation on a product that you want to sell. It can be either real or imaginary.

23/03Choose a film you would like to watch at the EOI and make a presentation to try to convince your classmates so that they vote for your choice. It should be a film connected with sports and / or free time activities.

6/04Visit http://dating.about.com/od/meetingpeople/Meeting_People.htm and find tips on how to meet new people. Prepare a presentation to show your partners the best ways of introducing yourself, and the best places to meet people.

11/05Prepare a presentation on your next holidays. Say where you’re planning to go, who with, the activities you’re going to do there, and any other aspect you may think is interesting. Try to persuade some classmates so they join you.